Reduction in Ocean Heat Transport at 26°N since 2008 Cools the Eastern Subpolar Gyre of the North Atlantic Ocean

• DOI: 10.1175/jcli-d-19-0323.1
• Publication Date: 2019-12-03T18:17:12Z
• Authors: Harry L. Bryden; William E. Johns; Brian A. King; Gerard McCarthy; Elaine L. McDonagh; Ben I. Moat; David A. Smeed
• Keywords: Gulf Stream

Abstract Northward ocean heat transport at 26°N in the Atlantic Ocean has been measured since 2004. The is large—approximately 1.25 PW, and on interannual time scales it exhibits surprisingly large temporal variability. There a long-term reduction of 0.17 PW from 1.32 before 2009 to 1.15 after (2009–16) an annual average basis associated with 2.5-Sv (1 Sv ≡ 10 6 m 3 s −1 ) drop meridional overturning circulation (AMOC). AMOC cooled freshened upper north over area following offshore edge Gulf Stream/North Current Bahamas Iceland. Cooling peaks south Iceland where surface temperatures are as much 2°C cooler 2016 than they were 2008. Heat uptake by atmosphere appears have affected particularly along path North Current. For transport, changes content account for about one-quarter while reduced remainder change transport.